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Category Archives: basil
Pesto
The basil is ready for eating, for making pestos. Just perfect.
Posted in basil, harvesting
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Drying herbs
Frankly, I always pick my herbs and hang and dry them in bunches. Research indicates that this is not the best way to dry some herbs to preserve the most flavor. I wrote earlier about drying small-leaved herbs in bunches; … Continue reading
Posted in basil, cilantro, harvesting, herbs, mint, parsley, preserving, sage
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Final harvesting of basil
Harvesting in the rain is bone-chilling. However, today is probably the last chance to bring in the basil. Good chance, after today’s rain and tonight’s low 40 degree temperature, the basil will wilt by tomorrow morning. I’m sure you’ve all … Continue reading
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Indian summer
Indian summer is always bitter-sweet. The days warm after a cold snap but only for a short spell: winter approaches, and the growing season nears its end. Perhaps, this special window of warm, sunny fall weather is called Indian summer … Continue reading
Posted in basil, cilantro, corn, green tomato, oregano & marjoram, parsley, scallion, sweet & hot peppers
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Early harvest: tomatoes and basil
When the average temperature in Chicago this date is 74 degrees, we know it’s an early fall today. Last night dipped into the 40s and today the high will be in the low 50s, warming up to high 50s and … Continue reading
Posted in basil, green tomato, harvesting, superfoods
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Green beans, part two
There are two good reasons to pick green beans often. First, when you pick the green beans, the plant produces more, extending the growing season into the fall; it’s best to pick every day or two. Second, freshly picked green … Continue reading
Posted in basil, green beans, harvesting
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Easy herb butters
My herb garden is wild this year. So much spilling out and all over each other. There’s too much to write about herbs so here’s a quick entry about something I discovered this year. Alice Waters recommends herb butters which … Continue reading
Posted in basil, cilantro, harvesting, oregano & marjoram, sage, sorrel, tarragon, thyme
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Winter harvest, part two
The final taste of summer was the basil paste I took from the freezer. Once it defrosted, I was eating big spoonfulls of dark green sunshine. It’s the fresh basil I harvested last October and Turkish olive oil made into … Continue reading
Posted in basil, garlic, preserving
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